I just had my 21st birthday recently, and I began to ponder on what I have learned in the past 21 years of my life.
1. Always read the expiration date.
As a college student some of the things I always overlook while grocery shopping is the expiration date. I just don't think about it and in a few days, I regret it because the sandwich bread went moldy or the bagels. So always look at the date.
2. Dealing with money sucks!
It's never fun talking, looking, or feeling money because you know that it's going to disappear in just a matter of seconds.
3. YouTube...
It's a black hole.
4. Netflix...
Another black hole that leaves you lonely. Especially when you binged watched a show and it felt like a friend was moving away when the next season wasn't on Netflix. You get attached way too fast in an unhealthy manner.
5. College is hard.
Yeah, your first year could be easy, but boy does it get way stressful. People said it was hard, but I never really believed them because I could balance everything boy was I wrong.
6. Take a break.
Sometimes you just need a break. Not a long one because that can just screw everything up.
7. Only you can get yourself there.
"You can do it." Believing in yourself is a major key!
8. Do you.
Only do you because you don't have time to deal with everyone else.
9. Find hobbies.
This excluded Internet hobbies; I don't care if you are Internet famous do something that doesn't involve the Internet. Read books (paper books), paint, take pictures, walk, sit outside and people watch. It's healthy to have hobbies.
10. Expressing yourself is important.
I don't mean just talking, find other ways you can express yourself. Something that makes it a challenge.
11. Feeling like the world is crashing down is a part of life.
This will happen a lot in your life and I don't think it will stop, but you can learn to deal with it. Find a healthy way of dealing with this type of feeling because I'm still trying to learn.
12. Find something you love.
Loving something whether that be romantically or not. Finding something you love is special.
13. Family.
Family becomes more important as the years go by.
14. Call your relatives.
It's nice to catch up with relatives especially grandparents. You get major points for being the best grandchild if you call your grandparents.
15. Go to the movies.
Go for the over priced movie popcorn.
16. It's OK to stress.
It's better to acknowledge that you are stressed out than to hide it. Hiding it will cause even more stress.
17. Ask for help when you need it.
It is OK to swallow your pride and admit you need help. I'm not the one to ask for help, but the times that I have, it really helps.
18. Don't be afraid to cry.
It's OK to cry, I promise. It's better to let it all out rather than holding it all in.
19. Uniforms are great.
For the first 12 years of my life going to school, I wore a uniform. It was the best thing on the planet not having to think about what you are wearing. The first day of college was the first day that I picked out my own outfit for school. I never thought I would see the day that I actually miss wearing a school uniform.
20. Be in the moment.
There are times when I think I should Snapchat this or take a picture for Instagram rather than just living in the moment.
21. Learn to love yourself.
You only have one life to live, and it should include loving yourself daily.
